How to prune alocasia lauterbachiana (purple sword)

Year-round as leaves yellow, die, or are damaged. Cut the spent petiole cleanly at the base where it meets the main stem or corm. Use clean scissors or pruning shears. Wear gloves — the sap contains calcium oxalate and can irritate skin.

As needed; light tidying every few weeks during active growth. Alocasia lauterbachiana (Purple Sword) needs only removal of yellowed or damaged lance-shaped leaves as they die off naturally. This species has a naturally narrow, upright habit that needs no shaping. Simply keep it tidy by removing spent foliage at the base. No structural pruning is required.

Cut the spent petiole cleanly at the base where it meets the main stem or corm. Use clean scissors or pruning shears. Wear gloves — the sap contains calcium oxalate and can irritate skin.